Challenging the education monopoly

Below is an interesting email I received from Palmetto Family Council, a pro-family group. Watch the ABC program if you can--and if you don't mind your views on education being rattled a bit.

Are kids in the United States stupid, or are they being cheated out of a quality education?

In a special report airing Friday night on ABC's "20/20", John Stossel reveals the surprising truth.

American high school students flunk international comparisons, placing well behind other countries, even poorer countries like Poland, the Czech Republic and South Korea. American kids do pretty well when they enter public school (with or without pre-Kindergarten programs), but as time goes on, they fall behind. Why?

School officials complain that they need more money, but as Stossel reports, most of the countries that outperform us spend less per student than we do. There are many factors that contribute to failure in school, like family breakdown, but the worst institutional problem is the government's monopoly over the school system. With a monopoly, most parents don't get to choose their child's school. In other countries, choice fosters competition, and competition improves performance.

In an extended report, Stossel questions government officials, union leaders, parents and students. He also examines how the educational system can be improved and reports on innovative programs across the country.

"Stupid In America: How We Are Cheating Our Kids" with John Stossel, airs Friday, January 13 (10 to 11 p.m. ET) on ABC.

Note: There is a South Carolina hook to "Stupid in America." Stossel visits the Palmetto State, where an important education reform measure, Put Parents in Charge, was narrowly defeated last year.